award of the Ib diploma
Each examined subject is graded on a scale of 1 (minimum) to 7 (maximum). The award of the diploma requires students to meet defined standards and conditions including a minimum total of 24 points and the satisfactory completion of the Extended Essay, Theory of Knowledge course and Creativity, Action, and Service activities.
IB DIPLOMA REQUIREMENTS
General Requirements
IB Diploma candidates are required to take six subjects encompassing both the humanities and the sciences. At least three subjects, but not more than four, are studied at the Higher Level, the rest at Standard Level. Higher Level courses represent a minimum of 240 teaching hours. Standard Level courses cover 150 hours. Students are thus able to explore some subjects in depth and others more broadly.
Examinations and grades
Students test in 6 IB subjects – 3 at higher level ( English, History,
Science) and 3 at standard level (Math, Spanish, an elective)
Examination scores are combined with internal assessment evaluations and
students are scored 1-7 in each subject area. A total of 24 points is required
to earn the diploma, an average of 4 in each subject. However, if a student
earns a 3 in a higher level subject, he/she must compensate by earning a
5 or better in another higher level subject to earn the diploma.
Internal Assessment Assignments
English
– students must write 2 papers on aspects of the world literature
portion of the course. One paper is written in the junior year, the other
in the senior year.
Each paper is to be 1000 – 1500 words. Assessment of these papers
is done
exclusively by IB examiners.
- students must prepare a 15 minute oral commentary on an extract from one
of
the works studied in part 2 of the English curriculum. A guiding question
is
provided.
Spanish
– students must do a 10 minute oral presentation and dialog in Spanish
with the
teacher.
History
– students must write a 1500 – 2000 word historical investigation
on a topic
related to the junior/senior curriculum.
Biology
– students must participate in a group project consisting of field
research and
data gathering. A group write-up and a write-up based on individual
analysis is required.
Math
– students must do a math project based on personal research that
involves the
collection, analysis, and evaluation of data. A 2000 word paper describing
all aspects of the project is required.
Psychology
– students are required to conduct an experimental study and submit
a
1000 – 1500 word written report on all aspects of the experiment.
Theory of Knowledge
– students are required to make a 10 minute oral presentation in
class
on a contemporary issue relating to the ways and areas of
knowledge. This may be done as a group, but each member
of the group must make the 10 minute oral presentation.
- students are required to write a 1200 – 1600 word essay on
one of the proscribed titles published by the IB organization.
Assessment of this paper is done exclusively by IB examiners.
Other diploma requirements
Students must write a 4000 word Extended Essay. This is a research paper that can be written on any topic from any subject in the IB curriculum. Assessment of this paper is done exclusively by IB examiners.
Students are required to engage in 150 hours of extracurricular activity
involving Creativity, Action, and Service (CAS).
